Hi Friend, I hope this message finds you well! Before we get into recipes and my favorite matcha, I wanted to let you know that I'm kicking off a daily walking challenge on Monday. Will you join me? (just hit reply!). Will you invite a friend or family member to join us? (forward this message to them for some additional accountability and support!). Some Background I'm a fanatic about getting in my daily walks. It began with walking to work in my 20s, and I fell in love with feeling the fresh air, sunlight and movement first thing every morning. Once I became a mom, those long walks to work became my "me" time. And now that I'm home with my kids 24/7, they're helping me keep my sanity. This habit is truly a pillar of my overall wellbeing, and I know so many others would benefit from a walking routine as well. Why a Challenge Motivation, accountability, and encouragement. In a recent poll, 42% of people told me they weren't getting in a daily walk or some other form of exercise. I also know many friends who are struggling with staying active during WFH , Covid, etc.. Even people who are exercising daily said "heck yes, sign me up!" Why Now It's getting colder, it's getting dark earlier, we're 7 months into a pandemic, and this time of year is when Seasonal Depression tends to set in. It's so easy to stay at home and be sedentary, but it's more important THAN EVER to get out and to move. Every. Single. Day. Here's why.... Movement: daily movement is critical for physical and mental wellbeing. The cardiovascular system gets a lot of attention (rightly so), but many people don't realize that our lymphatic system--and therefore our immune system--relies on daily movement for proper circulation and function. That's because the lymphatic system does not have a built-in pump like the cardiovascular system (the heart). Muscle contraction functions as a pump for lymph fluid through our bodies. Outdoor exposure to sunlight: sets circadian rhythms, and therefore plays an important role in sleep, mood, and energy levels (including cortisol and melatonin production and regulation). Being outdoors: even in a big city, there are still beautiful trees, a bright sky, flowers, fresh air etc. that will brighten your day and instill calm. For more, check out this article from Harvard Medical School: A prescription for better health: go alfresco.
What's the Challenge At least 10 walks per week through the end of the year. That's 75 days to get you well on your way to a permanent habit. I'll be sharing tips and cheering you on. In the meantime, be sure to get your #10walksaweek and let me know how you feel! | 
